When We Two Parted
WHEN WE TWO PARTED.
1.
When we two parted
In silence and tears,
Half broken-hearted
To sever for years,
Pale grew thy cheek and cold,
Colder thy kiss;
Truly that hour foretold[1]
Sorrow to this.
2.
The dew of the morning[2]
Sunk chill on my brow—
It felt like the warning
Of what I feel now.
Thy vows are all broken,[3]
And light is thy fame:
I hear thy name spoken,
And share in its shame.
3.[4]
They name thee before me,
A knell to mine ear;
A shudder comes o'er me—
Why wert thou so dear?
They know not I knew thee,
Who knew thee too well:—
Long, long shall I rue thee,
Too deeply to tell.
4.
In secret we met—
In silence I grieve,
That thy heart could forget,
Thy spirit deceive.
If I should meet thee[5]
After long years,
How should I greet thee?—
With silence and tears.
[First published, Poems, 1816.]